Nebraska’s two coordinators had two different reviews four days after Nebraska lost its season opener Saturday in Dublin.
Mark Whipple — in his first game calling offensive plays for the Huskers — said Wednesday he came away “more encouraged than discouraged.†The third-down conversions (9 of 16) were a positive, he said. Two of the giveaways were unusualÌý— the Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda play ruled a fumble and the Casey Thompson interception that went off a receiver’s hands.
Nebraska also went without an offensive penalty, something Whipple said was a first for him in his decades of coaching.
The next step for the offense this week and beyond? Finish. A scoreless fourth quarter doesn’t sit well.
Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander, meanwhile, said the performance on his side of the ball was “definitely not up to our standard at all.†Multiple missed tackles and mental errors were the lowlights for a "D" that prides itself on putting out fires and didn’t do so in Ireland.
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“That’s on me to get fixed,†Chinander said. “And I will get those fixed.â€
Other Wednesday notes ...Ìý *ÌýChinander said nickel backs Isaac Gifford and Chris Kolarevic played well, while the other nickel, Javin Wright, was solid on special teams. Kolarevic could move back to inside linebacker as needed since he cross-trained at both positions in the offseason.
*ÌýTransfer defensive linemen Stephon Wynn and Devin Drew both earned the right to play more snaps after logging 20 and 24, respectively, Chinander said.
*ÌýNo new Blackshirts have been awarded this week.
*ÌýThompson missed a few easy throws, Whipple said, especially in the first half. But he also managed the game well and has shown a notable uptick in leadership in the days since the game.
*ÌýTight end Travis Vokolek entered the opener as a big part of the offense and will be in the future as he recovers from an ankle injury that knocked him out of the game late Saturday. “We missed Travis,†Whipple said.
Photos: The view from Dublin, where Nebraska takes on Northwestern
Mango, a 7-year-old chihuahua belonging to Brian Smith of Doha, Qatar, wears a Husker hoodie ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Colin, 6, gets a good view of Husker fans while walking with his parents, Jessica and Adam Taylor, of Lincoln, ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
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Dianna Whittle, of Valley, Neb., and Diane Etzelmiller, of Omaha, grab a drink ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
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Allison Johnson, of Grand Forks, N.D., gets a lift from Grant Kobes, of Bennington, Neb., and Ross Johnson, of Grand Forks, N.D., ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
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Husker fans ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
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Traci and Erik Vrbas, of Downs, Kans., meet Mango, a 7-year-old chihuahua belonging to Brian Smith, of Doha Qatar, ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
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Cherie and Steve Schemm, now living in Goes Netherlands, hang out with other Husker fans ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in the Temple Bar District on Saturday in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Marcus Washington (7) makes a catch while warming up ahead of the Huskers' game against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska warms up ahead of its game against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska warms up ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium on Saturday in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (6) warms up ahead of the Huskers' game against Northwestern on Saturday in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Brant Banks (74) high-fives teammates ahead of the Huskers' game against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) warms up ahead of theÌýthe Huskers' game against Northwestern onÌýAug. 27 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Brandon Moore (24) is shown beforeÌýthe Huskers' game against Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Chubba Purdy (6) warms up ahead ofÌýthe Huskers' game against Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead ofÌýthe Huskers' game against Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska fans watch as the team warms up ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Bonnie Schumacher, of Omaha, from left, Judy and Dean Schnitzler, of Brekenridge, Colo., and Harry Kurtenbach, of Lindsay, Neb., laugh with costumed characters ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in theTemple Bar District in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Husker fans ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in theTemple Bar District in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Husker fans ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in theTemple Bar District in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Lisa McNeal, of Lincoln, wears a 'Go Big Red' button with a shamrock, ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in theTemple Bar District in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Husker fans ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in theTemple Bar District in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Nebraska fans watch as the team warms up ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
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Nebraska's Brendan Franke (92) watches his field goal attempt miss as the first half endsÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Evan Hull (26) is brought down by the Nebraska defenseÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) hands the ball off to Trey Palmer (3)Ìýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Ryan Hilinski (3) passes the ball against Nebraska on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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The Nebraska defense stands on the field during a break in the action against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Anthony Grant (10) runs with the ball against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Turner Corcoran (69) and Trent Hixson (75) hold back Northwestern's Taishan Holmes (90)Ìýon Aug. 27 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald file photo
Nebraska's Casey Thompson throws the ball against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost watches his team play NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Chris Kolarevic tries to snag Northwestern's Evan Hull on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. NU defensive coordinator Erik Chinander acknowledged the unit's struggles Wednesday, saying “I will get those fixed.â€
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Nebraska's Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (center) celebrates scoring the Huskers' first touchdown of the 2022 season against Northwestern on Aug. 27 in Dublin.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald file photo
Nebraska's Marcus Washington (7) catches a pass against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Donny Navarro III (80) makes a touchdown catch in front of Nebraska's Braxton Clark (11)Ìýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Marcus Washington (7) watches the final moments of Northwestern's 31-28 win Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost runs off the field following the Huskers' 31-28 loss to Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Evan Hull (26) and Marshall Lang (88) celebrate Hull's go-aheadÌý touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats' 31-28 win against Nebraska on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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The Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks off the field following a timeout during the Huskers' game against Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Malik Washington (6) is grabbed by Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (23) on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks past his team during a timeout in the Huskers' game against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Evan Hull (26) evades Nebraska's Luke Reimer (28) on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska defensive players look to the sideline during the Huskers' game against Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) walks off the field following the Huskers' 31-28 loss to Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Luke Reimer (28) walks off the field following the Huskers' 31-28 loss to Northwestern onÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost pats the back of Nash Hutmacher (72) during the Huskers' game against NorthwesternÌýonÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Fans make a cup snake through the stands during the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and NebraskaÌýonÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Tommy Stoller, of Omaha, puts his hands on his head during the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and NebraskaÌýonÌýSaturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (2) walks off the field following a Husker interception in the fourth quarter of Northwestern's 31-28 win Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Trey Palmer (3) runs with the ball against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts watches Nebraska play Northwestern on Aug. 27 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska defensive players look to the sideline during the Huskers' game against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Logan Smothers (8) watches the Huskers play Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska fans watch the Huskers play Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Anthony Grant (10) rushes between Northwestern's Rod Heard II (24) and Jeremiah Lewis (9) on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Fans watch the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and NebraskaÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple speaks to his team during the Huskers' game against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.Ìý
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson hands the ball off to Anthony GrantÌýduring the Huskers' game against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern's Evan Hull (26) is brought down by Nebraska's Ochaun Mathis (left) and Luke Reimer (right)Ìýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with officials during the Huskers' game against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Travis Vokolek runs with the ball against Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Trey Palmer is brought down by Northwestern's Coco Azema (0) and Xander MuellerÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska fans watch the Huskers play NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Trent Hixson (top) gets ready to snap the ball against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska fans use binoculars to watch the Huskers play Northwestern on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Travis Vokolek (83) runs a route against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson passes the ballÌýagainst NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) gets over the pile for a touchdown against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Marcus Washington runs with the ball against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska's Timmy Bleekrode (38) kicks an extra point against NorthwesternÌýon Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald leads his team onto the field for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Caleb Tannor (2) calls out to his team in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Eteva Mauga-Clements (5) reacts after a Northwestern touchdown in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Northwestern's Charlie Schmiidt (69) celebrates a touchdown in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Ajay Allen (9) runs with the ball behind teammate Chancellor Brewington (82) against Northwestern Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska fans watch the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) eyes Northwestern's Ryan Hilisnki (3) while being held back by Northwestern's Josh Priebe (68) in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska fans react to a play in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Northwestern's Evan Hull (26) is brought down by the Nebraska defense in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Northwestern's Ryan Hilinski (3) passes the ball past the hand of Nebraska's Ochaun Mathis (32) in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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The Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Northwestern won 31-28.
ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald
Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) walks off the field following the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Wyatt Liewer (85) reacts after missing a pass that was then intercepted by Northwestern's Xander Mueller (34) in the fourth quarter of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) falls on a play in the third quarter of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) talks with Mark Whipple, the offensive coordinator, during a break in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Rahmir Johnson (14) competes in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Trey Palmer (3) rushes in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) walks off the field following a drive in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Anthony Grant (10) watches his team from the sideline during the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Bryce Benhart (54) and Broc Bando (73) protect their quarterback, Casey Thompson (11), by blocking Northwestern's Sean McLaughlin (97) on Aug. 27, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
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Nebraska's Trey Palmer (3) carries the ball against Northwestern Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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Nebraska fans watch the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (2) and Travis Vokolek (83) listen to the officials after a turnover by Garcia-Castaneda in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Trey Palmer (3) flips with the ball in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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Nebraska's Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (2) loses possession of the ball and it is recovered by Northwestern's Greyson Metz (57) in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
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